Among the major auto shows, Detroit debuts some of the best-selling cars and trucks, Geneva gets to unveil the latest European exotics, Frankfurt features Germany's best vehicles, and LA spotlights the latest sports cars and convertibles.

Like its host city, the New York International Auto Show combines a cosmopolitan mixture of all these cities, and serves as a central meeting point for the car world. I had the chance to wander the halls this week, and here are some of the best debuts of new models and concepts we saw at the Jacob Javits Center.

1
Acura TLX

Midsize sedans aren't exactly flying off dealers' lots and Acura's TLX has had to compete with segment-leading German rivals. Acura is hoping to change this with this refreshed version of its car, which debuted in New York. The beak-like grille is gone, replaced with a more appealing diamond-shape pattern first seen on the recently updated MDX crossover. Both the TLX and a new performance trim, the TLX A-Spec, are powered by either a 4-cylinder or 3.5-liter V6 engine.

2
Alfa Romeo's Stelvio

SUVs are hot right now. That's why Alfa Romeo's Stelvio Ti, which made its first appearance at the New York Auto Show, is expected to be the Italian brand's biggest seller. It's the third vehicle in Alfa Romeo's reintroduction into the US market, following the 4C sports car and Giulia performance sedan. The Stelvio Ti is powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder 28- horsepower engine and will go on sale later this summer.

3
Audi RS3

The Audi RS3 has been one of those vehicles that US enthusiasts could only long for, but not buy down at their local dealer. But the version unveiled in New York is scheduled to hit showrooms this summer with a 2.5-liter 400-hp engine that channels power through 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Inside is the familiar mix of high-quality leather, suede, and aluminum and Audi's trend-setting Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster display.

4
Bugatti Chiron

Although the Bugatti Chiron has been shown in Europe, it's the first time the US-spec version of the $2.5 million super car has been on public view stateside. The Chiron's 8.0-liter 16-cylinder engine has four turbochargers that help it hit an astounding 1,500 horsepower to propel the car to 250-plus mph. One bummer is that the US version requires a tacked-on rear bumper to meet American safety requirements.

5
Dodge Demon

Dodge has been pushing the limits of modern muscle cars for the last few years with high-powered Hellcat editions of its Charger and Challenger. The new Challenger SRT Demon, which replaces the Viper as the brand's rubber-burning standard bearer, pumps out 840 horsepower and it designed mainly for the drag strip. Hence its stock drag-ready radials tires and specialized engine computer that can be optimized for racing fuel. Oh, and it also can do wheelies. Seriously.

6
Ford Police Responder Hybrid Sedan

A hybrid high-pursuit police car may seem like the stuff of late-night talk show jokes. But Ford's Police Responder Hybrid Sedan, based on the Ford Fusion Hybrid, will be tested this fall by the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and the Michigan State Police, albeit for urban use only. Sure, it can only go up to 60mph on battery power alone, but just think of all the fuel cities will save.

7
Honda Clarity EV and Plug-in Hybrid

Honda and other automakers realize that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCV) will be an uphill battle in the market for quite some time. So on the heels of launching the Clarity FCV, Honda was in New York to take the wraps off full EV and plug-in hybrid versions of the vehicle—the first time an automaker has offered all three alternative fuel options on a single model. The EV version offers 80 miles of range on a charge, while the plug-in gets 40 miles of electric range before its gasoline engine kicks in.

8
Infinti QX80 Monograph

Any thoughts that super-sized SUVs are dinosaurs were dispelled by Infiniti's debut in New York of the hulking QX80 Monograph concept. The QX80 is more than 16 feet long, almost 6 feet tall and more than 6 feet wide. But the sculpted, all-silver skin, cool chrome accents that give it a classic art deco look, and massive 24-inch wheels help to keep the big brute’s brawn look balanced.

9
Genesis GV80

Hyundai has been trying to differentiate its Genesis luxury brand from its regular line, and the unveiling of the GV80 concept in New York may be remembered as a watershed moment that accomplished this tall task. Not only is the GV80 a stunning vehicle that will stand out in the crowded luxury SUV segment, but Genesis surprised jaded journalists and industry veterans at the show by revealing that it's powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology.

10
Lincoln Navigator

The Lincoln Navigator helped kick off the large SUV craze in the '90s, before being eclipsed by its Motown rival, the Cadillac Escalade. The model that debuted in New York features an all-aluminum body, a turbocharged engine, and luxurious interior. And to distance itself from competitors, Lincoln will also include eight hours of its new professional chauffeur service with every new Navigator.

11
Lucid Alpha Air

The term "Tesla fighter" is tossed around every time a new electric sports car comes out, but the Lucid Alpha Air may be an actual contender considering the CTO of the company was chief engineer for the Model S. Scheduled for production in 2019, the vehicle recently reach 217mph at a winter test track —and was stable on snow. For the starting price of $60,000 ($52,000 with federal tax credits), customer will get 240 miles of range and from 0 to 60 mph in less than 2.5 seconds, according to the company.

12
Mercedes-Benz GLC 63 SUV

In case you need an SUV with a hand-built 469-horsepower bi-turboV-8 that goes from 0 to 60 mph in less than four seconds, Mercedes-Benz has you covered with the GLC 63 SUV. (Or you can get something similar in a four-door with the GLC 63 Coupe.) It also come with an AMG nine-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and a performance-oriented drivetrain that automatically switches between rear- and all-wheel drive.

13
Nissan 370Z Heritage Edition

Why let the Detroit brands have all the fun with retro-style muscle cars? That must be what Nissan was thinking while developing the 370Z Heritage Edition, which plays on the same nostalgia for the Japanese brand's iconic sports car, just in time for its 50th birthday. The cars is, of course, updated with the 3.7-liter V6 and standard six-speed manual or the optional seven-speed automatic transmission found in the current Z car.

14
Porsche 911 GT3

Porsche purists rejoice: The new 911 GT3 unveiled in New York will be back in the automaker's lineup this fall, and as a bonus, a manual transmission is back as an option for the legendary sports car. The 911 GT3's 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine also comes sans a turbocharger, making it even more of a minimalist road and track car that Porsche fans once feared may be history.

15
Range Rover Velar

The Land Rover Range Rover Velar that made its stateside debut in New York helps the British luxury SUV brand fill a hole in its lineup between the entry-level Evoque and full-size Range Rover Sport. The Velar will be available with six different engine options—starting with a four-cylinder diesel and ending with a supercharged V6. And true to Land Rover's heritage, the Velar will be able to wade through up to 2 feet of water or waltz up to the valet at a high-end restaurant with equal aplomb.

16
Subaru Ascent Concept

If you're a Subaru fan with a growing family, you'll be happy to know that the Japanese car maker's vehicle lineup is growing, too. The Ascent Concept is the first three-row Subaru SUV and marks a new design direction for Subaru, highlighted by a massive grille. Details were scant, but Subaru allowed that an all-new turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine powers the concept.

17
Toyota FT4X

Toyota introduced a new concept SUV in New York, the FT4X, which stands for Future Toyota Four-Wheel Drive. But a better name may be Baby FJ Cruiser since the cute concept takes design cues from the larger classic off-roader. Toyota says the FT4X is designed to navigate the urban jungles as well as take on the wild outdoors.

18
Volvo XC60

Volvo continues the revamp of its lineup with a new XC60, which hasn't received a total redesign since its 2008 debut. The new XC60 features styling similar to the larger XC90. Like that SUV and the new S90 sedan, the XC60 is designed using Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture, which lets the automaker to build several vehicles using the same platform.

About the Author

Doug Newcomb is a recognized expert on the subject of car technology within the auto industry and among the automotive and general media, and a frequent speaker at automotive and consumer electronics industry events. Doug began his career in 1988 at the car stereo trade publication Mobile Electronics, before serving as editor of the leading consume... See Full Bio

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